Chapter 2

Song: Beautiful Mess by Diamond Rio

All through the day, Kate couldn't stop thinking about James. He had been so kind to her that morning. She very rarely broke down like that, but then again, she very rarely had someone that listened to her like James had. There were only two people in the world that normally did that: her dad and her best friend, Libby. But Libby was skiing in Vermont with her aunt and uncle until the end of the month, so Kate had been stuck waiting for her monthly meeting with her dad to empty her heart of the emotions that had been eating at her since the beginning of Christmas break. Meeting James had been the relief her heart had be hoping for since Libby had left a little over two weeks ago. The bus driver glared at her as Kate uneasily got on the bus that afternoon. Kate quickly made her way to the back, taking her normal seat and hoping that her "friends" wouldn't be riding this afternoon. Life had been a little better since the seniors in her group of tormentors had gotten cars, but ever once in a while, they rode the bus just so they could give her the "special attention" they thought she deserved. She stared out the window as the bus sat idle in the parking lot, waiting for the stragglers to rush out the doors. Just as she had given up hope of her new friend joining her for the long ride home, James climbed up the steps of the bus. He scanned, searching for either an empty seat or her, she couldn't tell and suddenly he smiled and walked towards the back. Smiling back at him she moved her backpack and he quickly sat down as the bus pulled forward.

"Hey there Freckles," James said contentedly. He grinned as the nickname had the desired effect.

"Freckles?" she crinkled her nose while her hand unconsciously went to cover it.

"Yeah, Freckles. Don't tell me you don't like it. It took me all day to think of that." He put on a look of worried uncertainty.

"I love it," she smiled; it worried her a little that he could fake that look so well. It made her wonder what else she didn't know about him.

They talked the whole ride home and although she seemed at ease, she was very reluctant to get off the bus when the time came. James said goodbye when they reached the corner of Kate's street but hesitated, unsure if Kate would be okay.

Kate tried to smile. She was thankful that someone cared for her but she still couldn't shake the feeling of dread she got whenever she faced the prospect of going to the house she called a home.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." She tried to put on a convincing brave face, but the tears she thought she had drained this morning threatened to burst out again.

"You sure?" When she nodded, he fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a fragment of paper.

"Well here's my number just in case. Call me if you need anything." He thought it ironic that his number might actually be important to a person other than his current make-out partner.

"Thanks again," she said as she slowly turned and walked down the street toward her house. James watched silently as she walked down the street and turned onto the sidewalk that led to the door of her house. She paused then stealthily opened the door and slipped inside. As she pulled the door shut, James heard yells and the sound of someone running up the stairs. Trying to convince himself that she would be okay, and telling himself that he couldn't afford to get involved – after all he was living on his own while he was still in high school and he wasn't exactly sure if that was legal – he walked toward his own house and quickly went inside. He grabbed a quick bite to eat and, grabbing the cordless phone, went out to the garage to work on his truck until nightfall. He would make sure it was ready, just in case.